Day 41-42'ish - Weekend Warrior

We went to Deanville, Texas to help friends get their new home, sort of a ranchette, ready for move-in. I was excited for my friends and... wanted to know how my PCP workouts would fair against an honest days labor. The house will have a long way to go, but they recently expanded their family to include goats. Lots of goats. Ironically, the property has to be ready for the goats before the people. That means fencing. Cross fencing. Gates. Posts and more.

Due to some travel logisitics, we didn't get to the 3 acre farm until mid afternoon on Saturday. It worked out okay, they had been to town to get last few materials. We quickly settled in to start stretching 4" goat wire fencing that was about 5 feet high. This required rolling out huge rolls of wire, stretching with a come-along, and nailing to posts with special fence nails. Fortunately, most of the previous posts were in good shape to be re-used.

Denise and I worked the remainder of the day Saturday, and some of Sunday. We kept up and stayed right along side our friends who do this more often than us. By the time we got back in to the city Sunday night, we were tired, but maybe more from the driving and excitement than the physical labor. PCP rocks!

We ate fresh food from a market selling grass feed meat, some frozen vegetables, and home made bread. Not all PCP friendly, but we focused on the good portions of the meals. Our friends in the country couldn't find anything wrong with our diet? It seemed rather natural to them. Well, they were opting for a lot more salt, so we cooked portions separately. But, otherwise, no major challenges.

We did miss a workout coming in Sunday night, but we moved that to our jump rope only night and it felt good to work out the muscles. I am still a little behind on jumps (catching up from the flu), but I can definitely feel I am getting in good strong workouts now. Yeah!

Day 40 - Groceries and sushi

I went out to lunch with a friend I had not seen in quite some time on Thursday. We went for sushi. Yumm... Since starting the PCP, I have not been out to a restaurant more than one handful of times. Sushi seemed easy and it was. Even better, to try and stay true to carb intake, I had the wonderful excuse to order Sashimi which is usually an indulgence. Overall, the flavours were awesome, I was full with smaller portions and did not have the rice/carb crash I would sometimes get in the past.

I am back to a respectable workout again after the flu bugs. Not quite back to full jump ropes and complete sets on legs, but upper body caught up really well. I at least feel like I am doing more good than just wheezing and trembling through. Can't do a pistol squat lower than a regular squat, but my knees aren't quite wired that way. Knee injuries as a kid prevented that star women's basketball career. Yeah, right... But, I did notice my jeans fit differently the other day. They are tighter in my thigh and I felt this weird thing called a hamstring along the back of my leg. Jeans also got a little longer? Denise says it is from hanging straight instead of going over the muffin top. Heh.

Groceries has become a weekend ritual and we are getting much better at shopping. Pretty easy routine now of knowing what stores to run through and buy fresh produce for the week. Not as time consuming as at first. But, I saw an interesting book yesterday, and unfortunately realized we don't need it (Darn, I love buying books). It was a guide on what to buy that is healthier vs. what is sold as healthy in the grocery store. We all know that can be a big difference. Eat This Not That! looked like a step in the right direction. I do hope some people buy it because it was rather enlightening on the pages I flipped through. Very visual and easy to understand. It showed common grocer brands and might compare cereals or condiments and provide a page of healthier alternatives vs. bad ones. It included nutritional info and then a series of meal recipes in back using suggested ingredients. Thankfully, it also had good sections on how to provide fresh produce, meats and other non-packaged staples. Not just packaged staples. However, I don't think most people will gravitate toward those chapters. Patrick, it was a start, but still lots of room for helping out the public!

Day 34: An Apple a Day

There is the old rhyme, "An apple a day keeps the Doctor away." Well, it didn't quite keep the Doctor away, but I do think it helped.

It has taken a full seven, no eight days, but I think I am at about 80% recovered from the flu or whatever that was. Clinics have stopped testing for strains of flu except in extreme cases, but they also say it is too early for the seasonal flu. So, with all my symptoms, the clinic's best guess was flu and treated me for such. Fever, chills, aches and more hung around, but then disappeared in about 3-4 days. Fatigue and weakness with headaches, much longer. But, when I read accounts of others who were out for several weeks or basically crawled around on the floor, my bout seems rather mild. I fully contribute it to the prior month of healthy foods, working out, extra Vitamin D, and packets of emergen-c. My body wanted to recover and was able.

I didn't lose my appetite during the fever, but mostly slept. Once marathon naps wore off, I could eat most anything. I stayed on diet, but without much attention to amounts. If I was hungry between meals, I ate fruit and didn't limit myself. Denise did a great job of keeping the house stocked and taking care of all the errands we share while I was down for the count. I was lucky I only had to focus on recovering. Thanks Denise!

I lost some muscle definition I was developing in my upper body. Dang, I was really loving that striation showing up between front and medial deltoid heads. My mid section, much softer, but I don't think I gained or lost weight much either way. I think much of this was due to the complication of medicines (anti-viral) in my digestive system. Let's just say, bloating. ugh. The big muscle groups in the legs are still tired. I won't start real jump ropes again until tomorrow when lungs and coordination start making a comeback. I did a mini-workout last night without jumprope, but walking and hopping just barely past comfort zone. I probably walked more than in the prior 7 days combined. My push-ups sucked wind, or I should say burned streaks across my chest and arms, but I got a few medium good sets in. Joints totally stiff and I could feel the pain from the inflammation. Knees down on the pushups, and my shoulders hurt. It will take a few days to get the strength back. Most band work was manageable since it can be modified to current capacity. Wow. Headache at the end of what would probably account for about a day 7 workout if I compared. Whew.

I missed a solid three days of work, and worked quarantined for another two. I started showing signs of illness last Sunday and it really took a whole week and both weekends to feel like I could start to approach normal. I did miss working out. Reading the above again, it sounds terrible. Ewww. But, I still think it was lighter than what many have experienced with the flu. I know I am getting better since I am now really wanting to get back on a regular schedule and regular workout. My tendency is to rush and try to catch up with everyone. But, I have to remember this is not a race and to - work my own workout.

So, here's to fruit (still loving on Honey Crisps), building back muscles strength and stamina and keeping the Doctors away. Raising my water bottle and apple in salute!

Day 32 - I think? What was that?

Whew...

Who knew PCP and flu weren't on the same menu? Yeah, they don't go together very well, except maybe the good diet has helped me recover quickly. A trip to the Dr. for anti-virals and it seems like it is sorting itself out. I have been fever free for nearly 48 hours. FTW! Body is still a bit beat up and not feeling normal. A bit weak, hmpphh. Who am I kidding? A new born kitten could take me in a boxing match right now. But I totally can't wait to get back to working out. I see some of the progress in tone and momentum being lost and looking forward to re-establishing the routine. I have kept to a slim version of the diet, so that has kept me happy.

Tonight won't be a full workout, or even strenuous, since I am in this for the long haul. Right now, I am mainly focused on feeding my body clean nutrients and resting, so I can come back strong. I have pull-ups in my future!

Thanks for the well wishes during recuperation!

Day 29: Causality

If you go ahead and enjoy your indulgence, okay. If you tag along and enjoy someone else's indulgence of ice cream... you will get sick. Probably with the flu. I had no idea that ice cream caused such illness? Wow.

Day two of O.O.C. = Out of commission.

Small cup of Ben and Jerry's Pumpkin and Yellow Brick Road Ice creams during the weekend. Oh, it was good. really good. But too much. Next indulgence will be a glass of red wine as promised.

Full details soon, but taking it easy while the body heals itself. Then I will have some catching up to do. Keep towing the line everyone! Be back before you know it.

Disclaimer - no ice cream organizations were intended harm in this post. In fact, ice cream is good, and does not cause the flu. But, dang the timing was uncanny.

Day 21 - Simplify doesn't always mean easier

Most of 2009 has been a year of simplifying. Purge things that were cluttering my focus or encumbering. Rightsizing. This included moving to a smaller space, reducing furniture, knick knacks, even treasured books. Reducing reliance on energy and generally moving towards a more independent and sustainable lifestyle. Yes, a few indulgences were allowed, but purging was strict and sometimes radical. In the end, it only has me feeling like I still have too much in my life. Wow. It seems the more I focus on what is important, the easier it is to see how much extra we carry around. Did I really need twelve pairs of black pants? I really like the three I kept.

This encumbrance has carried over to emotions and physicality. I carry around too many extraneous emotions and too much reliance on prepared food. Many years ago, I read The Simple Living Guide and without direct radical changes, it influenced my thought processes on a path I have continued. Traveling in many other countries validated smaller and quality were better than quantity. By no means do I live an object-less life, but I try and be mindful. The Peak Condition Project is just fitting so well in to this same pattern. Simple workouts without extra machines and simple food to feed our bodies. Things I feel like I have given up and now feel lighter without:

• processed flours
• processed sugars
• salt - still would like this in moderation, like good quality sea salt
• energy bars
• snack foods with preserving chemicals
• heavy oils and more...

Letting go of these things has played a bit of havoc with time, emotions and energy. But I now consistently feel like I have more energy and see subtle changes. I totally chow down and crave fruit. I mean... crave like "would-take-you-out-if-you-get-in-my-way" fresh sweet fruit such as ripe strawberries or crisp apples. The thought of packaged foods is becoming distasteful. I now pick fruit and vegetables carefully and with a much stronger eye on freshness and flavour. Knowing foods may have to stand on their own or be the star of a meal means each item is carefully selected. Selecting each ingredient in a recipe for it's flavour and contribution to health lends a certain clarity I will continue working towards.

The funny part? Simple isn't always easier. This simplicity is freeing, but also requires more focus. Maybe even more work and effort go into each meal, action, or decision, but the results are more satisfying. I spend more time preparing food, or preparing my space or body for working out. I sleep more. I feel like I have less time in my life. (Did I mention I feel a bit stressed for time?! Sleep, cook, work, workout, buy, eat, cook, sleep. All in continuous rotation.) But, I feel more satisfied when I enjoy a particular meal and taste the ingredients. My mind is lasering in on what is important and dropping distractions just as my body is letting go of the toxins that have crowded it for years.

I can slowly feel my body changing, clothes fitting differently, and the gradual return of some muscle outlines I remember. I do my share of complaining about muscle or joint soreness, but the results and simplicity will keep me coming back each day. Simplicity, with effort. Scheduling time and balancing are my Achilles heel. I can already feel many lessons I will take forward with me from this project. Don't let anyone kid you, simple doesn't always mean easier. It takes honest effort to bypass the conveniences our fast cultures throw at us daily. But measuring the rewards keeps it real.